Improvement in railroad rail-splice



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Lam; Patent No. 105,863, daredauzy 26, 1870;

IMPROVEMENT IN RAILROAD RAIL-SPLICE.

The Schedule rexerre to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

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I, GEORGE OSCAR TAYLOR, of Hamiltom'county of Loudoun, State of Virginia, have invented an Improved Rail-Splioe, jof which the following is a specifi'- cation.

Nature and Object of thc Invention.

My invention consists of 'a certain splicing-clamp, set-screws, and angular plate, adapted' to the ends of two adjacent` rails, as fully described hereaftenthe whole forming a splice of great strength, which will retain the rails in perfect continuity `without requiring any cutting of the same.

. Description of the Accompanying Drawing. i

Figure lis a transverse sectional view of my improved rail-splic'e, and

' Figure 2, side viewlof the same;v

Gene/ral Description.

A and Af represent the ends ofthe two adjacent rails, which are to be joined together, and

B, a clamping-bar or plate, ofthe peculiar bent form shown in iig. 1, which is fitted around the lower flanges a a of the said rails. y

The clamp B has a longitudinal rib, c, which forms a; rest or bearing-for the bottoms lof' the rails, and the edge d of the said clamp is bent upward and inward, so as to bear against each rail at the point x, or in theaugle between its web f and flange a. .Y

The' oppositeedge d of the said clamp is also bent upward and inward, and carries four or other suitable number of set-screws, F, the inner ends of which bear against'aplata H, Ofabont the same length as th'e clamp, and which is adapted to the angle y, formed between the web and ila-nge arof each rail.' I prefer to make the 'set-screws with rings o r eyes g, through which to `passa retaining'rod, h, as shown in iig. 2, this being a ready method of preventing the looseningr of any of the said screws, owing to the jarring and vibrations to which the rails are constantly subjected. When adapting the above splice" to the ends of the two rails, and on tighteuingup the screws, the clamp B will rst turn about the bearing-point or angle ai until the rib c is brought `against the bottoms of the rails, and, ou continuing to work up the screws, the

plate H will be forced tightlyinto the angle y between the web and flange a of the rails.

It will thus be seen that', when the splice is tightcned, a pressure will be exerted upon therails at three distinct points, and those the most advantageous for resisting all ordinary straius,'namely at the bottom and in the'angles between the web and the lowerA anges of each ofthe said rails.

In splices or joints of this class as heretofore constructed, it has been customary to exert a downward pressure upon the flanges a and a of the rails, but at points remote from `the central web f. Such splioes,

however, h ave been found'incapable of resisting lateralstrains, for the reason that the points of bearing upon the flanges are too far apart.

In my improved joint the upper bearings iu theaugles'x and y, are as close together as when fish-plates are employed, but no objectionable cutting, and consequent weakening, of the rails is required, as with the latter, and the pressure being exerted on both sides at an angle of about forty-five degrees to the bottoms of the rails, there will be little tendencyof either of I the latter to 4be thrown out of line, either horizontally,

or vertically. Y

The object in using the plate H is to `insure a direct andcontinuous pressure of the' set-screws iu the angle y, for, if the screws were used alone at this point, the pressuremight be exerted against the web or lower flange only.

In order to prevent twisting of the joint, the clamp may, if desired, he made to touch, or nearly touch, the outer edges of the lower ilanges ofthe rails- The within-described rail-splicing clamp B, its bear.- 4 I ing points :n and o, screws F, and the plate H, with its bearing point 4, thc whole being adapted to the 1ails, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' GEORGE OSCAR TAYLOR. Witnesses: I SAMUEL H. LOVE,

LEWIS TAYLOR. 

